CONDITIONS OF HIRE
Noosa River Houseboats hereafter will be referred to as “NRHB”
Bookings: A non-refundable deposit of $350 is required to lock in the booking.
Payment plans: If you opt for one of our payment plans that requires several payments your payments need to comply with due dates set out in your booking confirmation. If payments are not received on due dates your booking is deemed to be automatically cancelled after 7 days and no refunds will be issued other then set out in our standard cancellation policy.
Security Deposit: A security/insurance bond of $2,000 is required on the day of departure. This is held as a credit/debit card authorization (VISA and Mastercard only) or in cash... Fuel, cost of any repairs or damage to boat/s or equipment, late return fee, loss of income due to grounding and cost of any extra cleaning required will be deducted from the security deposit. Upon request an overview will be emailed to you. Completion of these transactions related to your charter will be done be NRHB within 72 hours after return of the vessel. In case of damage that requires inspection/quotes from a third party, completion can take up to 10 working days. In case of credit card authorization, the authorization will automatically drop of 10- working days from the day the authorization has been given.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance against cancellation of booking is highly recommended.
Hire Times: Standard departure times are between 1-3 pm. Standard return time is 8.30am. Changes to these times may be arranged, subject to availability.
Fuel: Is charged at $50 per houseboat motor running hours.
Hirer's Agreement: A contract stating the conditions under which the vessel is hired will be entered into before commencement of the hire period. Provided this contract is adhered to in full, liability for damage to the boat or equipment will be limited to the amount of the security bond. If the contract is breached, no limitation of liability will occur
Pets: Pets are not permitted on board at any time.
Cancellation policy:
The $350 deposit is non-refundable.
Bookings cancelled for “high season” (exact dates can be found on the “rates page” of the official website of NRHB): More than 60 days prior to departure: full refund minus $350 deposit, 60-0 days prior to departure: no refunds.
Bookings cancelled for “low and mid-season”: exact dates can be found on the “rates page” of the official website of NRHB More than 45 days prior to departure: full refund minus $350 deposit, 45-0 days prior to departure: no refunds
Covid policy:
No refunds at any time other then set out in our standard cancellation policy. Rescheduling of your charter is only possible if NRHB is not able to deliver the booked vessel due to unforeseen circumstances. In all other situations rescheduling is not possible.
Nominated skipper: The nominated "skipper/s" must be over 21-years of age. This person/s (aged 21-years +) is ultimately responsible for the houseboat and her passengers and must remain within Queensland alcohol limits at all times. It is the nominated skipper’s responsibility to make sure that passengers behave in an appropriate way following Queensland laws. Any intoxicated person is not allowed on any of the outdoor decks and are the responsibility of the nominated skipper. The nominated skipper has to maintain a proper look out at all times and follow all the maritime safety directives, collision regulations and any onboard safety management plans. The nominated skipper must follow any directive given by NRHB.
Directives: All passenger need to follow directives of the nominated skipper and or NRHB. Failure to do so can result in termination of hire.
Insurance: All our vessels are fully covered by Commercial Marine Insurance Policies. The limit of liability for the hirer (provided the terms of the hire contract are adhered to), is the amount of the security deposit.
Anchoring: The vessel is not allowed to be moored or tied up to a fixed jetty, floating jetty, navigation marker or river bank and is not to be rafted up to any other vessel / personal watercraft (NRHB tender excluded).
Operating Area: The vessel shall not be operated outside of the operational area or within the "no go" areas as defined on the chart/map displayed in the vessel. The Northern boundary is the entrance to Lake Cootharaba and the South-Eastern boundary is as far as the T-Boat hire building along Gympie Terrace.
Operating Hours: The vessel shall not be operated as follows: May, June and July: after 4:30pm. All other months: after 5:00pm. The vessel should be safely anchored prior to the time above with your overnight location relayed to base by text message or phone and the anchor light displayed until sunrise.
Termination of hire: NRHB may terminate the charter if it is deemed at the sole discretion of the owner that the hirer is in breach of any of the conditions of hire or is abusing the use of the vessel in any way. If the hire is terminated by the NRHB, no refunds will be issued.
The Charter: The vessel is placed at the disposal of the hirer on the date booked unless NRHB is prevented in doing so by mechanical breakdown or unforeseen circumstances. In this case rescheduling of the charter will be offered. The hirer shall have no claim whatsoever in relation to cancellation of hire. Hirer's liability (provided there is no breach of any of the terms and conditions of the hirer's agreement have been kept) is equal to the $2,000 security/insurance bond.
The Vessel: The vessel and equipment must be returned in as good order and condition as when hired. Additional cleaning fees will be imposed if the vessel is returned in an untidy or filthy state. If the hirer causes any damage to the vessel/s they must pay monetary compensation to NRHB for the damage limited to the security deposit (provided the terms and conditions of the hire agreement are adhered to). Any technical issues that arise during the hire period need to be reported to NRHB as soon as possible
Warranty: Except as required by law, NRHB gives no warranty whatsoever in relation to the operational condition of the vessel. The Hirer will have no claim against NRHB in respect of any loss, loss of life, damage or injury arising out of the operational condition of the vessel.
Indemnity: The Hirer is liable for and irrevocably and unconditionally indemnifies NRHB and her employees, third parties working for NRHB, against all liability, loss, penalties, payments, costs, loss of life, personal injury, charges and expenses directly or indirectly arising out of the Hirer's failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the hire agreement, and any Local, State and Commonwealth laws relating to the use of the waterways. The hirer and passengers further irrevocably and unconditionally indemnify NRHB and her employees, third parties working for NRHB, against all liability, loss, penalties, payments, costs, loss of life, personal injury, charges and expenses arising out of the hire of the vessel.
Life jackets: life jackets are provided in accordance with AMSA regulation. Childrens life jackets are the sole responsibility of the hirer.
Children: Children need to be supervised by an adult at all times. It is strongly advised for all children aboard (including tender) to wear life jackets at all times.
Maximum persons per vessel: Vessel Cruise Cat maximum 7 passengers, Vessel Sea Venture maximum 12 passengers, Vessel Shamu (Dream Catcher) maximin 12 passengers.
Safety: A safety management plan is onboard to help the skipper and crew in case of an emergency. All persons onboard need to familiarise themselves with the safety management plans onboard and follow directives from the skipper or NRHB. Skiing or towing people is not permitted. No access allowed to roofs or solar panel areas. Any intoxicated person is not allowed on any of the outdoor decks and is the responsibility of the skipper. Persons are not permitted to bow ride the vessel or have any part of their body over the side of the vessel while under way.
Weather: Bad or inclement weather is at the risk of the hirer and are no reason for cancellation or rescheduling of the charter.